Getting ready for Christmas 2025

Yesterday The Estates had a residents' apartment tour of Christmas decor. I was sort of grinchy in August when we were moving, so all the bulbs went to resale, but we kept the ornaments that had memories--like things my mom and sister had made, homemade crafts from the kids' first grade teachers, mementoes from our travels, and some table decor from the days we went to parties really dressed up. We even kept and put out our Lazzy Bear from 1986. In November we bought a really skinny tree to fit our small apartment. Our daughter strung the lights for us. About 15 people stopped by--we were so busy, we didn't get out to see the decor of the other 6 or 8 who had also decorated. We've put out some candy for the strollers on the floor. Our activities director, Connie, took a photo, but I haven't seen it yet.

Advent--almost

This is an important day. It's the penultimate day of the church calendar. (Ultimate means final or farthest and pen means almost.) So it means next to the last. Advent, the first day of the church year, is Sunday, November 30, and we look forward to the coming of our Savior and Lord who took on our flesh as a helpless baby.

 
To make it easy on myself I looked up how that is determined and self was told: 

"The first day of Advent in 2025 is Sunday, November 30, 2025. This date marks the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity and is the first Sunday of Advent, which is always the Sunday closest to St Andrew’s Day (November 30).

Advent will conclude on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, leading into the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ on December 25. Many churches observe this season with Advent wreaths, lighting candles each Sunday to symbolize themes of hope, peace, joy, and love."

Advent hymns are lovely and thoughtful--not exactly Rudolph and Santa. One popular hymn was written by Christina Georgina Rosetti and ends,

 
"What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart."

Our facility, The Estates at Knightsbridge, is swarming with Christmas elves who have miraculously put out wreaths, ribbons and trees to make this place look like, maybe not home, but festive and cheerful as we look forward.

Also, it's Black Friday when retailers make it or break it (are in the black), and you're crazy if you go out to shop or buy a quart of milk. It's also the day before OSU and Michigan fight it out in Ann Arbor; the streets of Columbus will be quiet and safe.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Last night the movie at the Estates (formerly The Forum) was The Wizard of Oz. I had a front row seat in our community living room (the couch with my own blanket) and could really see and admire all the advanced technology and make-up for the era (1939). I noticed that the Scarecrow had actual burlap marks on his face so decided to take a look at how they did all that. I remember years ago reading it was toxic and caused health problems. This account is AI generated--I'm afraid that like others, I too will settle when it comes to quick and dirty searches.

"The makeup used in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz was elaborate and often hazardous due to the materials available at the time. The Wicked Witch of the West, portrayed by Margaret Hamilton, wore a copper-based green makeup that was poisonous, requiring her to live on a liquid diet during filming and carefully cleaning the makeup off her face each day. This toxic makeup caused her skin to remain green for weeks after filming concluded.

The makeup for the Tin Man, originally intended for Buddy Ebsen, was a white face paint coated with aluminum dust, which caused severe health issues, including lung infections and shortness of breath, leading to Ebsen being replaced by Jack Haley after only nine days of filming. Haley’s makeup was reformulated into a paste, but he still experienced an eye infection that caused him to miss four days of filming.

The Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger, wore a latex-based "rubber bag" mask that was so tightly adhered to his skin that it left permanent waffle-like burlap patterns on his face, particularly around his mouth and chin, after being peeled off daily.

The Cowardly Lion, portrayed by Bert Lahr, wore a heavy costume that made him drenched in sweat by the end of each shooting day.

The intense heat from the Technicolor filming process, combined with the heavy makeup and costumes, made working conditions extremely difficult, with reports of people fainting on set.

The makeup for the Munchkins was also unusual and required specialized application. Despite the risks, these techniques contributed to the film’s iconic visual style."

Gives me a new appreciation for an 86 year old movie, and the hazards the performers put up with.

I've been told that this is my son-in-law's favorite movie, and they have a special Christmas tree with only Wizard of Oz ornaments.

 

The Associated Press and the President

As I've mentioned before we have a small digital news alert from AP on our elevator TV (about the size of a 1949 TV screen). Probably the most important international event in the last 60 years is taking place today (signing of the Gaza peace plan), but it is showing 2 stories about the death of Dianne Keaton, 2 on football and I think I saw something about JD Vance, but it was not about the historic accomplishment not only of Trump but indeed all the countries in the middle east. What a worthless waste of someone's investment, career and time is Associated Press.

So, I checked to see what its beef is about Trump--and among others it is suing for its First Amendment rights because the Trump Administration blocked 2 reporters on reporting on a White House event. Oh goodie. It gets to ignore important history and pouts that there are consequences for bias, middle school nastiness and disinformation. Wikipedia (not always a good source, but it's handy) says it is a not for profit association made up of members who report news.

 

"As a cooperative, the Associated Press is owned and governed by its members. There are approximately 1,300 U.S. newspaper members and thousands of television and radio broadcast members.

These organizations are the collective owners. They elect the board, contribute to the cooperative's news report, and in return, gain access to the vast amount of content produced by AP journalists worldwide.
This structure is designed to support journalism, not generate profit for investors. Revenue generated by the AP, including from licensing its content to non-members, is reinvested back into its news-gathering operations." (SEOAves)

1300 newspapers and thousands of TV and radio members. Hmmm. I wonder what percentage have ever had a good word to say about President Trump or conservatives? Yet AP's reports are the "backbone" of all news reporting.

A day with the horses

One of the biggest sports events in Columbus is the Quarter Horse Congress. It's about a month long in September and October--attracting more than 500,000 people, and generating $429 million for the central Ohio economy. I think I went in 2000. I petted a lot of noses, and didn't buy any $400 boots, but did get a cook book. 

Although it's not as fancy, today at The Form we went to "Dreams on Horseback Ranch." It was a little chilly, so we dressed in layers. We didn't ride, but we were able to engage with the horses.  We got there about noon so we began with a box lunch right at the entrance to the barn area and near a lovely woods. We had a tour of the barn area and were introduced to the various horses and told what they did.  Some were leased and were residents until the owners needed them. One horse, the size of a pony, had just returned from visiting special needs children at a school. One horse performed some "art" for us.  Blobs of acrylic paint were placed on small canvases which were then covered with plastic wrap. A dollop of applesauce was placed on that and the horse licked it off, spreading the paint around.  We plan to matt and frame ours.

  

Needs sunglasses

  

Haflinger we groomed

Another change of address story

I went to a branch of the massive system where we only have a credit card to change my address (we get points to reduce the balance amount). I showed my DL which has the new address and current card. As it turned out I got a trainee, who seemed sort of bored. He spent some time bringing up the correct screen. I told him I also wanted to change my email, and he told me they don't have an email for me. "Then why do I get all these messages from you?" I said. "Must be a scam," he replied. In truth it alerts me to my balance and any specials available on the card for the month. I didn't argue with him--but I hope he's not in training for a bigger job. Then I said I wanted to be sure the phone number was correct, so he read back our old land line and one we have not had for 23 years, predating when we took out the credit card. So, I gave him my cell phone number. Then I asked if he could print out for me all the changes. He didn't know how to PRINT a page!!! He called his supervisor for help. The supervisor had probably 5-7 studs in his face, including little silver balls hanging out his nostrils. That's rather distracting for 86 year olds. Takes you back to your kids' runny noses. He advises him to "print screen" which I would have done if I could see his computer screen. By this time I really needed to sit down I'd been standing so long, but I escaped to the 85 degree weather.

The reason I went to that branch in person was another branch had not allowed my husband to make the changes for me, only himself.

Sunday at Central at the Forum

Although it isn't Sunday, today at the Forum we enjoyed the musicians from the "Sunday at Central" Symphonic Group playing Bach. Fantastic flutist/flautist. Description: "Sunday @ Central’s mission is to expand the audience for classical music through imaginative and interdisciplinary programming, and to promote the appreciation and enjoyment of music in the Central Ohio area by funding and presenting the highest quality musical events. Sunday at Central is positioned as a top-caliber nonprofit classical music organization that strives to be accessible and inspirational to all arts appreciators in the Central Ohio area." 

If you hustle over to Broad Street Presbyterian tomorrow at 3 pm (September 21) you might see the same program. There is a YouTube site you can subscribe to. 

https://sundayatcentral.org/event/6164963/727092495/bach-brandenburg?

Sunday At Central - YouTube

More changes--we've been transitioned!

Yesterday, all the residents of The Forum were "all shook up" when we discovered that our "corporate" had transitioned to new management. Five Star is the operating division of AlerisLife which is selling its assets, which includes 17 communities

"Diversified Healthcare Trust (Nasdaq: DHC)  [a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in healthcare and life sciences properties] today (Sept. 3) announced that it has entered agreements with AlerisLife Inc. (“AlerisLife”) and seven different operators to transition the management of 116 of DHC’s senior living communities managed by Five Star Senior Living (“Five Star”), the operating division of AlerisLife. The transition of these management agreements will occur in tranches beginning in September and is expected to be completed by year end. AlerisLife is also selling all its assets, including its 17 owned communities, and expects to complete a full wind-down of its business and operations in the first half of 2026. In connection with the sale of AlerisLife’s assets and after repayment of debt and payment of estimated wind-down costs, DHC expects to receive estimated net proceeds of between $25 million to $40 million for its 34% interest in AlerisLife. DHC plans to use these net proceeds to reduce leverage and for other general business purposes, including reinvestment in its SHOP segment."

Even our own staff here didn't see this coming, and just a week ago we had a party for our new director! As new residents Bob and I and 2 other newbies were introduced to the community in a special reception at 4 p.m. yesterday, however it was sort of overshadowed by the news of our management arrangements.  I had seen articles going back to 2023 about AlerisLife and Five Star, but didn't see a final conclusion, We are being told there will be no changes, but the rumor mill is churning.

Getting ready for the move

 We are moving to a retirement community, and frankly my dear, I'm pooped.  And so is my husband. On Friday we had a quick trip by ambulance to the ER because he was wrestling a painting off the wall which got tangled in the wire and he became short of breath.  He has 4 stents so rather than self diagnose, I called the squad. I had been at the bank depositing cash I'd found around the house (over $3,000) and had gone downstairs to enter the deposit.  Then I noticed he was on the floor "resting his eyes." We were discussing the seriousness of his symptoms and just decided to call rather than be sorry.  So our daughter, son-in-law and I spent the day in the ER admittance with him, and got home about 4 p.m. Today he feels fine and went to church, but I'm still a bit frazzled so I stayed home.

We had 34 paintings on the first floor and 260 total.  That's a lot of wrapping after deciding the locations for safe keeping (our apartment, our daughter's home, or put up for sale). We have not found 3 floor living a problem until this move prep.  We were always careful and limited our ups and downs to about 3 or 4 trips during the day. But the move has put that at more than 30 trips a day. This is definitely not good for either of us.  Today I was moving our emergency food to the kitchen to be disposed of.  I'd carry up a can of tuna, a can of soup, and a can of vegetables.  Then I'd sit down and do something else, or talk to a neighbor.  Then I'd make another trip. I've been emptying them and running the disposal before getting rid of the cans in the recycle bin.

Our wonderful neighbor Barbie brought us dinner last night--a scrumptious Salmon salad and wedding soup with warm bread.  The salads are so large we'll have two meals from that, and we had the soup for lunch after church. She may even help us with some things to take to Indianapolis because she goes there every week to babysit her grandbabies! I've got some genealogy to share with our niece who has shown some interest in that area.  For years people--Aunt Roberta, Aunt Babe, Cousin Jim--have been sending me stuff, now it's time to pass it along.

Today some of our neighbors have been coming by to see if they want to purchase the paintings we don't have plans to use.  My parents 1947 maple twin bed suite with a chest and a dressing table with all the bedding have been given to friends of ours who have lots of grandchildren who come to visit. They were so kind and helpful when Phil died 5 years ago, we know it is going to a loving family. That set started out in Forreston, IL, then moved to Mt. Morris, IL, then to Franklin Grove, IL, then to Columbus, OH, then to Lakeside, OH, then back to Columbus.  A well-travelled bedroom suite. They were also able to use the quilt rack that held Phil's quilt for 5 years that cousin Jeanette made for him shone in the lower photo on the futon.  

kitchen  

Office/den